Page 72 of The Manny

“Really?” I squeaked. “Why?”

“I told you, she has it in her head you and Aiden are boyfriends.”

I frowned. “I don’t know why. All we do is talk at the park. It’s not like we’re making out.”

His arms tightened, but he didn’t speak.

I cleared my throat. “Look, Aiden and I are not dating. I thought it was headed that way, but he’s hopefully getting back with his ex-wife.”

“Wait. You hope he gets back with her?”

“Yeah. He’s in love with her.”

“Oh.”

“If I was dating Aiden, I wouldn’t have slept with you. I’m not promiscuous. I don’t need to be serious to sleep with someone, but I don’t tend to jump from guy to guy, simultaneously.”

“Okay. I’d say I’m the same.” He closed his eyes. “I’m beat. You wore me out.”

I smiled, studying his profile. He looked at peace, which was reassuring. If he regretted sleeping with me, he wouldn’t have coaxed me to sleep in his bed. I was curious about why he wanted me to stay. Was he feeling lonely? He never seemed to hang out with friends or anyone. He worked and came home. Day after day, that was his life. Not that I was exactly a social butterfly.

“I can feel you watching me,” he murmured.

I laughed. “Sorry. I was trying to figure you out.”

“Many have tried. All have failed.”

I sighed and relaxed against him. “I don’t think you’re nearly as tough as you pretend to be.”

Without opening his eyes, he frowned. “I’m plenty tough.”

“Well, yes, but I mean you’re not as unfeeling as you pretend.”

“Oh.”

I circled his flat brown nipple with the tip of my finger, and he winced and brushed my hand away.

“That tickles.”

I smiled. “Sorry.”

We were quiet for a few minutes, then he said, “Did it shock you when Aiden told you I’d been to prison?”

I stilled. If he was opening up to me, I needed to choose my words carefully. “Not really. Mia had already let the cat out of the bag.”

“But you didn’t knowwhyI’d gone to prison. Aiden gave you details, right?”

“True.” I glanced up at him. His eyes were open now and his expression tense. “You were young. People make mistakes.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I was young and too trusting.”

“Were you?” I hated that someone had hurt him. Changed him. I wanted to push for details, but knew I needed to let him lead.

“My dad was in and out of jail my whole life.” He frowned. “I think for a long time I assumed that would be my fate too. Maybe that’s why when my friend suggested we rob a computer warehouse, it didn’t seem like a big deal.”

Aiden had said Jack was the leader, had he got that wrong? “I see.” I kept my voice even.

“Kenny Harris.” He sighed. “What an asshole he turned out to be.”

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